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MEC Williams Advises Citizens To Obtain Burning Permits For Controlled Veld Fires Or Face Prosecution

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COGTA MEC Zolile Williams has warned Eastern Cape communities that veld fires are prohibited from June 2024 until 30 April 2025. The department has published veld fire prohibition notice dates in line with the prevailing drought situation. As a result, to mitigate the risks associated with unplanned veld fires, the Eastern Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (EC-PDMC) has put in place strict guidelines for all to follow.

MEC Williams said the impact of unplanned veld fires, from a smaller sample revealed that:

  • In 2023 more than R3 million of production and pasture damages were incurred in Toboyi village in Ngqamakhwe.
  • In Koukamma, Sarah Baartman District approximately R3,2 million of damage was caused to 163 hectors of commercial pine timber in February 2023. Fire suppression cost R4.8 million.

“We therefore advise our communities that due to the veld fire season which is upon us, no burning or open fires will be permitted in all municipal areas of the Eastern Cape Province during the specified period. Burning operations will be allowed under strict conditions approved by the municipal Chief Fire Officer (CFO) or the Fire Protection Officer (FPO) of the local Fire Protection Association (FPA). All burning operations must be done according to their respective burning permit systems and Community Fire Safety By-laws in a municipal area,” said MEC Williams.

He added that landowners and Traditional leaders are advised to apply for preapproval permit within a minimum of seven (7) days prior to undertaking burning operations.

“Final approval for burning must be obtained on the day of the proposed burn. All bordering landowners must be informed of burning operations in terms of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998) (NVFFA),” he said. The NVFF Act 101 of 1998 states that it is the responsibility of all landowners to put precautions in place to prevent a veld fire from spreading or causing damage, said MEC Williams.

“We urge members of the public to be extremely vigilant and to report any illegal fires to the Local Municipal Fire Stations or Fire Protection Associations, alternatively to the Ambulance services on 10177, South African Police Services (SAPS) on 10111 and 112 Cell phone emergency number,” he said.

MEC Williams cautioned that any person contravening government guidelines on veld fires may be liable for a fine and face prosecution under the applicable legislation.

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